KUALA LUMPUR: Who should captain the national men's football team?
Football legend Datuk Jamal Nasir has two names in mind — Syafiq Ahmad and Syamer Kutty Abba — as Malaysia compete in the Asean Cup from Dec 8-Jan 5. Malaysia are in Group A with Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia and Timor-Leste.
Though Harimau Malaya have several established foreign-born naturalised players, Jamal said local talent should be given the opportunity to develop leadership quality.
Jamal said both Syafiq and Syamer possess strong leadership qualities.
"Syafiq is a natural goalscorer, and his ability to motivate and organise the attacking line makes him a strong candidate. As a striker, his leadership could inspire the team in high-pressure situations, especially in the final third.
"Syamer plays a vital role in midfield. His tactical awareness, ability to break down opponents' attacks and influence on possession make him a reliable option for the captaincy.
"Both the players understand the dynamics of the game and can bring stability to the team in crucial moments," said Jamal.
In the absence of established players like Dion Cools, Arif Aiman Hanapi and Matthew Davies from the Asean Cup, the time has come for younger players, especially Malaysian-born talent to step up.